Method and apparatus for safe data reading and writing to a memory card reader device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a memory card reader has an eject button; the eject button inactive rest position is sensed by an electrical switch. When a memory card is inserted through an aperture in a front bezel it seats at a depth to ensure the rear face of the memory card is at least flush with the bezel surface. The memory card acts on a second electrical switch contact to indicate when it is fully seated. Sensing the state of both switches allows the condition of: a) the card being fully seated and b) that there is no card movement, to be detected. To eject the memory card the user must use the eject button which acts on an eject lever to push the card outwards through the aperture in the front bezel. The present invention also relates to a method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention generally relates to a method and a memory card reader device, and more particularly to a method and a memory card reader device that has been used in any electronic media products utilizing removable memory cards which may be flash based, such as Compact Flash, Multi-Media Card, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, xD Picture Card, Smart Media, or IC cards such as Smartcards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A frequent requirement is to read or write data to memory cards. Each time when a memory card is accessed, there is a risk of data corruption if the connection to the card is unexpectedly interrupted mid-process. For this reason it has been common to detect card presence by either a “card detect” signal using one of the cards own contact pads or a switch mechanically activated by the card.

[0003] Both of these methods have the weakness that they can only indicate a “card detect” status, and that detect range will extend over a certain distance. The card can be moving while the detect status is valid. This is a poor indicator to the control electronics performing read and write operations on the memory card, and there is a risk of data corruption.

[0004] To attempt to solve this unsatisfactory situation a solution has been devised in U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,528 where a switch senses that the card is physically seated and locked in the reader by a tab, which locates into a cutout formed in the card. In practice a reader using U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,528 cannot work with all memory cards. Card types such as Smart Media and Smartcards do not possess any cutouts into which a tab can locate, so they can not be locked. Furthermore an undesirable situation arises where a user tries to pull out a locked card: The user has no knowledge of the locking function; as it is unseen and internal to the device, this can easily result in damage.

[0005] The present invention overcomes these deficiencies and weakness and allows the controlling electronics to only perform read and write operations on the memory card while in the condition of the memory card being fully seated and at rest, thereby eliminating the possibility of data corruption due to unexpected card disconnection. The user can only extract the memory card by use of the push button.

[0006] Since the invention does not make use of any card cut-out feature it's use is applicable to all memory card types.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is providing a memory card reader device to ensure safe data read and write operations the memory card must not be disconnected unexpectedly.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is providing a method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device to ensure safe data read and write operations the memory card must not be disconnected unexpectedly.

[0009] The method and memory card reader device of the present invention achieves this aim by detecting the condition of the memory card being fully seated and at the same time the only means of card ejection, the ejection button, is inactive. The user cannot unexpectedly pull the memory card out of the reader assembly because the aperture in the front bezel ensures that there is no grip possible on the card surface when the card is fully seated.

[0010] For achieving the aforesaid object, the memory card reader device of the present invention comprises: a housing, having a slot on it's front bezel; an eject button, slidably mounted in the housing, further comprising an elasticity element for compressing the eject button and making a first switch become a normal close state; a join mechanism, pivotably mounted in the housing, and while the eject button being compressed or a memory card being inserted the join mechanism being actuated; a first switch, positioned on a side of the housing and coupled to the power for controlling and ensuring that the memory card reader device must be at a turning off state before the memory card being ejected; a second switch, also positioned on the side of the housing for detecting the memory card whether being fully inserted or not; thereby, while inserting the memory card into the slot of the memory card reader device, the join mechanism being compressed by the memory card, and making the second switch become a turning on state, and then making the first switch and the second switch become a close loop state, thus the power is passed to the memory card reader device so that the memory card reader device can read data from or write data to the memory card; while compressing the ejecting button, the elasticity element being compressed by the ejecting button and making the first switch become a turning off state, and making the memory card eject from the memory card reader device.

[0011] For achieving the aforesaid object, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of: providing a first switch, a second switch, a join mechanism and an eject button, wherein, the first switch is coupled to the second switch, another switch is coupled to ground while the first switch or the second switch is coupled to a power, and the ejecting button further comprising an elasticity element; inserting the memory card into a slot of the memory card reader device, meanwhile, the join mechanism being compressed by the memory card, and making the second switch become a turning on state, and then making the first switch and the second switch become a close loop state, thus the power is passed to the memory card reader device so that the memory card reader device can read data from or write data to the memory card; and pressing said ejecting button, meanwhile, said elasticity element being compressed by said ejecting button and making said first switch become a turning off state, and making said memory card eject from said memory card reader device by compressing said join mechanism, and forcing said first switch and said second switch becoming an turning off state, and then making said power and said memory card become an open loop state so as to eject the memory card, while the ejecting button does not be continually compressed by a user, the elasticity element will force the ejecting button back to it's original position and make the first switch become the close state and the second switch become the open state.

[0012] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference of the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a memory card reader device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view that the bezel 8 of the present invention further comprises a first aperture 81 and a second aperture 82 to ensure the rear face of a fully seated memory card 1 is at least flush with the bezel 8 front surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIGS. 3a-3 f, which respectively shows a multi-stage sequence for the device operation of the memory card reader device as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the notch 21 of the eject button 2 features that second switch 5 detects, according an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing that a memory card 1 fully seated in the device can only be extracted with the use of the eject button 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation of the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention. The description includes what are presently believed to be the best modes of carrying out the invention.

[0020] Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of a memory card reader device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 a memory card reader device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing 7, an eject button 2, a join mechanism 3, a first switches 4 and second switch 5. A memory card 1 can be inserted into the housing 7 for purpose of reading or writing. Wherein, existing card types known today include Compact Flash (type I and type II), IBM Microdrive, Multi-Media Card, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick (standard, Pro, Duo), xD Picture Card, Smart Media card.

[0021] Wherein, the housing 7, having a slot (not shown) behind it's front bezel 8; the eject button 2, slidably mounted in the housing 7, further comprising an elasticity element 6 and a notch 21, wherein the elasticity element 6 for example but not limited to a spring element or an elastomer for compressing the eject button 2 and making a first switch 4 become a normal close (NC) state and the notch 21 to aid the second switch 5 senses the position of the eject button 2; the join mechanism 3 for example but not limited to an eject lever, pivotably mounted in the housing 7, and while the eject button 2 being compressed or a memory card 1 being inserted the join mechanism 3 being actuated.

[0022] The first switch 4 for example but not limited to a normal close (NC) switch, positioned on a side for example but not limited to rear side of the housing 7 and coupled to the power (not shown) for controlling and ensuring that the memory card reader device must be at a turning off state before the memory card 1 being ejected; and the second switch 5 for example but not limited to a normal open (NO) switch, also positioned on the side of the housing 7 and beside the first switch 4 for detecting the memory card 1 whether being fully inserted or not.

[0023] Please refer to FIG. 2, which shows the bezel 8 further comprises a first aperture 81 and a second aperture 82 to ensure the rear face of a fully seated memory card 1 is at least flush with the bezel 8 front surface. As shown in FIG. 2, The bezel 8 of the present invention further comprises a first aperture 81 and second aperture 82. Wherein, the aperture 81 for example but not limited to a rectangular aperture is located before and aligned to the slot of the housing 7 to ensure the rear face of a fully seated memory card 1 is at least flush with the bezel 8 front surface. While the aperture 82 for example but not limited to a square aperture is located beside the aperture 81 and made the eject button 2 outwardly protrude from the bezel 8 so that the user can press the eject button 2 conveniently.

[0024] Please refer to FIGS. 3a-3 c, which respectively shows a multi-stage sequence for the device operation of the memory card reader device, as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3a, which shows a memory card 1 is being inserted into the housing 7. In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the device initially has the eject button 2 fully extended due to the action of the spring 6 and therefore switch 4 is ‘true’ (close), the eject lever 3 may be in any position, but switch 5 is ‘false’ (open) as no memory card 1 is present.

[0025] Please refer to FIG. 3b, which shows a memory card 1 fully seated into the housing 7. The memory card 1 is fully seated. When a user inserts a memory card 1 through the aperture 81 in the front bezel 8, meanwhile, the eject lever 3 being compressed by the memory card 1, and making the second switch 5 become a turning on state, and then making the first switch 4 and the second switch 5 become a close loop state; thus, power is passed to the memory card reader device so that the memory card reader device can read data from or write data to the memory card 1. The user cannot pull the card 1 out because there is no edge accessible protruding from the bezel aperture 81 to gain a grip.

[0026] The first switches 4 and second switch 5 only indicate a ‘true’ (close ) condition simultaneously in this condition where the memory card 1 is fully seated and eject button 2 is in its inactive position. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated, the first switch 4 senses the position of the eject button 2 with the aid of a notch 21 shown in FIG. 4. In this condition, indicated by the unique situation of the switches 4 and 5 being ‘true’, Read and write operations can be safely performed on the memory card 1. The user cannot extract the memory card 1 without using the eject button 2.

[0027] Please refer to FIG. 3c, which shows card detect pin closed status of second switch 5. The eject button 2 is operated on by the user. A pushing pressure causes the button 2 to move inwardly, causing second switch 5 to become a turning on state. Switch 4 is still ‘true’. This state immediately indicates to the controller (not shown) which may be performing read or write operations on the memory card 1. In this condition, indicated by the unique situation of first switches 4 and second switch 5 being became a close loop state, Read and write operations can be safely performed on the memory card 1.

[0028] Please refer to FIG. 3d, which shows memory card 1 extraction physically. If the user continues pushing however, the eject button 2 will move further inwardly and after a few millimeters of travel act upon an eject lever 3 which bears on the front edge of the memory card 1. In the illustrated embodiment the eject lever 3 is mounted in the housing 7 in such a way that it pivots about a point generally central in its length, and causes the memory card 1 to be pushed back out through the aperture 81 in the bezel 8. The switch 5 is becoming an open loop state during this step and switch 5 is ‘true’ initially, but goes ‘false’ (open) when the card 1 is removed.

[0029] Please refer to FIGS. 3e and 3 f, which shows the procedure of compressing the eject button 2 to eject the memory card 1. While a user continually pressing the ejecting button 2, meanwhile, the elasticity element 6 being compressed by the ejecting button 2 and making the first switch 4 become a turning off state, at present the power cannot pass to the memory card 1. If the user further continually compresses the join mechanism 3, the memory card 1 will eject from the memory card reader device, and force the first switch 4 and the second switch 5 becoming a turning off state, and then making the power and the memory card 1 become an open loop state so as to eject the memory card 1. While the ejecting button 2 does not be continually compressed by a user, the elasticity element 6 will force the eject button 2 back to it's original position and make the first switch 4 become the close state and the second switch 5 become the open state.

[0030] Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows a perspective view of the notch 21 of the eject button 2 feature that second switch 5 detects, according an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the eject button 2 of the present invention further comprising a notch 21 to aid the second switch 5 senses the position of the eject button 2.

[0031] Please refer to FIG. 5, which shows a plan view that a memory card 1 fully seated in the device can only be extracted with the use of the eject button 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, illustrating the memory card 1 is fully seated into the housing 7 and the user cannot pull the card 1 out because there is no edge accessible protruding from the bezel aperture 81 to gain a grip. The rear edge of the memory card 1 is at least flush, or recessed 1 or 2 millimeters below the surface of the bezel 8, into the bezel aperture 81. The switch 4 and switch 5 are both ‘true’ and now while these switches indicate a ‘true’ condition safe read and write operations can be carried out on data stored in the memory card 1. FIG. 5 shows this fully seated position where the rear edge of the memory card 1 is at least flush, or recessed 1 or 2 millimeters below the surface of the bezel 8, into the bezel aperture 81. The switch 4 and switch 5 are both ‘true’ and now while these switches indicate a ‘true’ condition safe read and write operations can be carried out on data stored in the memory card 1.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device, which comprises the steps of: providing a first switch 4, a second switch 5, a join mechanism 3 and a ejecting button 2, wherein, the first switch 4 is coupled to the second switch 5, while the first switch or the second switch is coupled to a power, then another switch is coupled to a ground, and the ejecting button 2 further comprising an elasticity element 6 (step 1); inserting the memory card 1 into a slot (not shown) of the memory card reader device, meanwhile, the join mechanism 3 being compressed by the memory card 1, and making the second switch 5 become a turning on state, and then making the first switch 4 and the second switch 5 become a close loop state, thus the power is passed to the memory card reader device so that the memory card reader device can read data from or write data to the memory card 1 (step 2); and pressing the ejecting button 2, meanwhile, the elasticity element 6 being compressed by the ejecting button 2 and making the first switch 4 become a turning off state, and making the memory card 1 eject from the memory card reader device by compressing the join mechanism 3, and forcing the first switch 4 and the second switch 4 becoming an turning off state, and then making the power and the memory card 1 become an open loop state so as to eject the memory card, while the ejecting button 2 does not be continually compressed by a user, the elasticity element 6 will force the ejecting button 2 back to it's original position and make the first switch 4 become the close state and the second switch 5 become the open state (step 3).

[0033] Those skilled in the art would recognize that many physical implementations could be realized for the accurate location of printed circuit board in relation to the flash memory card, to ensure accurate alignment of the card electrical contacts as this invention teaches without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0034] It should be understood that one skilled in the art can make a number of variations in the hardware and system software elements within the scope of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, this invention should be defined by the scope of the claims as broadly as the prior art will permit.

[0035] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device, which makes a power safely provide to said memory card reader device and a memory card, so said memory card reader device can safely read data from or write data to said memory card, which comprising the steps of: providing a first switch, a second switch, a join mechanism and an ejecting button, wherein, said first switch is coupled to said second switch, another switch is coupled to ground while said first switch or said second switch is coupled to a power, and said ejecting button further comprising an elasticity element; inserting said memory card into a slot of said memory card reader device, meanwhile, said join mechanism being compressed by said memory card, and making said second switch become a turning on state, and then making said first switch and said second switch become a close loop state, thus said power is passed to said memory card reader device so that said memory card reader device can read data from or write data to said memory card; and pressing said ejecting button, meanwhile, said elasticity element being compressed by said ejecting button and making said first switch become a turning off state, and making said memory card eject from said memory card reader device by compressing said join mechanism, and forcing said first switch and said second switch becoming an turning off state, and then making said power and said memory card become an open loop state so as to eject said memory card, while said ejecting button does not be continually compressed by a user, said elasticity element will force said ejecting button back to it's original position and make said first switch become said close state and said second switch become said open state.
 2. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said memory card is a Smart Media memory card, a memory stick memory card, a SD memory card, a Multimedia memory card or a xD memory card.
 3. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said first switch is cascaded to said second switch.
 4. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said join mechanism is a eject lever mechanism.
 5. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said elasticity element is a spring element or an elastomer.
 6. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said first switch is a normal close switch and said second switch is a normal open switch.
 7. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said first switch and said second switch becoming a turning on state, said power is passed to said memory card so that said memory card reader device can safely read data from or write data to said memory card.
 8. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said first switch becoming a turning on state and said second switch becoming a turning off state, said power can not be passed to said memory card so that said memory card reader device can not read data from or write data to said memory card.
 9. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said first switch becoming a turning off state and said second switch becoming a turning on state, said power can not be passed to said memory card reader device, and indicating that said memory card can safely be ejected from said memory card reader device.
 10. The method for safely reading and writing a memory card reader device according to claim 1, wherein said eject button further comprises a notch to aid said second switch senses the position of said eject button
 11. A memory card reader device, which makes a power safely provide to said memory card reader device and a memory card, so said memory card reader device can safely read data from or write data to said memory card, comprising: a housing, having a slot on it's front bezel; an eject button, slidably mounted in said housing, further comprising an elasticity element for compressing said eject button and making a first switch become a normal close state; a join mechanism, pivotably mounted in said housing, and while said eject button being compressed or a memory card being inserted said join mechanism being actuated; a first switch, positioned on a side of said housing and coupled to said power for controlling and ensuring that said memory card reader device must be at a turning off state before said memory card being ejected; a second switch, also positioned on said side of said housing for detecting said memory card whether being fully inserted or not; thereby, while inserting said memory card into said slot of said memory card reader device, said join mechanism being compressed by said memory card, and making said second switch become a turning on state, and then making said first switch and said second switch become a close loop state, thus said power is passed to said memory card reader device so that said memory card reader device can read data from or write data to said memory card; while compressing said ejecting button, said elasticity element being compressed by said ejecting button and making said first switch become a turning off state, and making said memory card eject from said memory card reader device.
 12. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said memory card is a Smart Media memory card, a memory stick memory card, a SD memory card, a Multimedia memory card or a xD memory card.
 13. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said first switch is cascaded to said second switch.
 14. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said join mechanism is a lever mechanism and said elasticity element is a spring element or an elastomer.
 15. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said first switch is a normal close switch and said second switch is a normal open switch.
 16. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said first switch and said second switch becoming a turning on state, said power is passed to said memory card so that said memory card reader device can safely read data from or write data to said memory card.
 17. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said first switch becoming a turning on state and said second switch becoming a turning off state, said power can not be passed to said memory card so that said memory card reader device can not read data from or write data to said memory card.
 18. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said first switch becoming a turning off state and said second switch becoming a turning on state, said power can not be passed to said memory card reader device, and indicating that said memory card can safely be ejected from said memory card reader device.
 19. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein further comprises an first aperture and a second aperture on said front bezel, wherein said first aperture has a rectangular shape for supporting said memory card being inserted into said slot and said second aperture has a square shape for providing said eject button outwardly protrude from the bezel so that the user can press the eject button conveniently.
 20. The memory card reader device according to claim 11, wherein said eject button further comprises a notch to aid said second switch senses the position of said eject button. 